The paper outlines the challenges of modelling and assessing spatially complex human-ecosystem interactions, and the need to simultaneously consider rural-urban and rich-poor interactions. The context for exploring these challenges is South Africa, which has such stark poor-rich and associated rural-urban and other spatial disparities, that it is often described as a microcosm of the global division between developed and developing countries. Instead of rigid rural-urban dichotomies and other absolute, “container” views of space, there is a need to recognise spatial overlaps and complexities such the pervasiveness of so-called translocal livelihood systems. Accordingly, much more relational, network-oriented modelling approaches are needed. The paper sets out a list of related requirements and highlights the trade-off that typically has to be made between macroscopic, multi-sector models (Type A) and sector or network specific spatial interaction models (Type B). It concludes with a discussion of ongoing work aimed at developing an adapted Type B modelling system that will provide the capability to explore positions, spaces, and interactions in terms of multiple networks (such as river networks, road networks and networks of service centres)

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International conference: Studying, modelling and sense making of planet earth. Lesvos, Greece. 1-6 June 2008